Suzuki SV650, Suzuki Bandit 600/1200, Honda CB600/900
the new Yamaha Z6 is pretty sweet to for a starter bike

If I was you I would buy a 2000ish naked bike to ride around on for a few months "insruance is DIRT CHEAP ON THEM" then when winter time comes sell it off and buy a newer 2002-2003 bike you really like from some guy who found out he can't make the payments and well its winter time so why not sell it....

TONS of people sell bikes in the winter time for cheaper then normal

a good place to buy a used fixed up bike is www.cycleoutlet.com "edit" speaking of them they have a Honda F3 and a Katana 750 both would "ok" starter bikes the F3 might be a tad much but if you're good about your wrist you should be ok